OBAA and AOW Comparison

     In Of Beetles and Angels and in "For many Syrians in Lebanon and Jordan, now it is time to go" some similarities between them are refugees, and organizations trying to help the refugees. In Of Beetles and Angels the refugees are Mawi and Tewolde. They both left Ethiopia and lost their home, friends, possible education, and extended family. In my article "For many Syrians in Lebanon and Jordan, now it is time to go" one specific refugee was Zeid Saad, it azstated, " ...Saad, a refugee expressed concern about the precarious journey through Syria. But he had no other choice, he said as he clutched his wife’s hand.“We either live in dignity or die trying,' he said.'" This shows that many refugees are facing challenges such as leaving home and going through difficult journeys, that they will overcome. 

      In Mawi's story and in my article some similarities are hard working and kind people. In Mawi's story it states, "The other half of the class wouldn't have voted for the cool kids if their life depended on it... the cool kids had made them feel like beetles. I hadn't. And that's how I got elected. I had treated everyone like and angel." This is showing how you are to people, such as being kind and hard-working, which will help in future problems or events. In my article it explained how many people would not give up and will continue to work towards freedom and dignity for their family. Overall both sources show how being a kind and hard working person can get you far.

     War affects individuals and society in many ways. In the book, Of Beetles and Angels it explains how Mawi's father was shaped because of the war. He said, "But you, our children, work hard at school and finish the university, maybe someday you can help yourselves and hero your family too." He learned many great characteristics including not giving up, doing your best, persevering throughout anything you do, and always to be thankful for what you have. In the article it states, '"I am going back into hell,' Zeid Saad, 28, a refugee from the Damascus countryside, said recently as he prepared to enter Syria from Jordan with his wife. After living in Jordan for two years, he said, he had run out of money and hope.'" This is how war affects the society, many people just give up because they have lost everything they once thought was their home.

SUMMER READING - Blog Four

Tales from the Odyssey
By Mary Pope Osborne
Prompt(s) -
* Describe the main character.
* What were some problems the characters faced? How did the character overcome the problems? Explain.
Page: Finished Book

     The main character is Odyssey, he is the king of Ithaca. Ithaca is an island in Ancient Greece. He enjoyed tending his fields and orchards, working as a craftsman, and carpenter. Odyssey was tall. strong, brave, brave, courageous, and clever. He had auburn hair and bright eyes. The twenty years of war he was the only man that lived, all his soldiers died. He was held captive at the Calypso Island and he just wanted to go home to his family and friends. He eventually found his way home after all the hardships he had to face.

     Telemachus, the son of Odyssey problem was he had to get home. His mothers suitors plan to kill him though. He can't sail home because the suitors wait for him on the Island of Samos, which is rights before Ithaca. He sails through the island but cannot be near the shore. The gods then send a wind to speed his ship on a safe port. He then makes it home not killed.

     Odyssey and Telemachus must defeat Penelope's suitors. They asked for the help of Zeus and Athena, and they do help. The next morning Telemachus goes home alone and Odyssey disguises himself as a beggar and travels to the palace. Then Athene whispers to Odyssey that it is time to fight he nods to Telemachus and then they took all the swords, spears, and shields from the hall. Then hide them upstairs in a room.

SUMMER READING - Blog Three

Tales from the Odyssey
By Mary Pope Osborne
Prompt(s) -
* Explain how you have been surprised by what you are reading.
* Think of a problem that a character had to face. Write the problem and how the
character solved it or is working to solve it. If you were that character, what
would you do differently?
Page: 0 - 136

    One way I have been surprised by my reading is since Odyssey, the king of Ithaca, has been gone for over two decades there are suitors who invade his home and crops. They want to marry the queen, but she waits till her husband comes home. The suitors slaughter his oxen, cows, horses, and etc. They also drink his best wine and best bread. The servants there are treated horribly by the suitors. The demand to marry the Queen, the suitors come from many lands and try and take his land, money and power. I just find it unbelievable that these men ruin his home and demand to marry his wife after he survived the war and is captive.

    One problem Odyssey had to face was how he was going to defeat Troy, since they were in war. They solved it by him and his workers making a huge wooden horse as a gift to Troy. The people in Troy thought it was a gift and it showed they had won the war, but Odyssey and his best soldiers were in the horse. Later that night they all got out and they defeated Troy. Which was a great idea.

     If I were that character I wouldn't of even thought of an idea like that. He had to find a way in the only way he could was to be unseen and he was unseen in that huge wooden horse. Since Troy was guarded by huge walls they couldn't climb over them so they did what was smart. I probably would of just went through the front doors, I thought it was the only way. 

SUMMER READING - Blog Two

My Side of the Mountain
By Jean Craighead George
Prompt(s) -
* Describe what was either believable or unbelievable about your reading.
Defend your opinion.
*What were some problems the characters faced? How did the character overcome the problems? Explain.
Page: Finished book

His fishhook

   What was unbelievable to me was that Sam had actually survived in the wild for over a year. He used all the resources around him to make a life in a forest. He made fires, fishing rods, pancakes, a home inside a tree, and etc. I don't think just any regular kid can make any of the things Sam Gribley had done on his own. He even tamed a falcon on his own. That falcon got him food and was  a companion, just like a dog. That was unbelievable to me.

     One problem the character faced was the harsh winter. In the fall he was thinking ahead and hunted deer. He got one so out of the skin he made a blanket and clothes so that he would be warm in the winter. He also got another deer and used that to make a door so the wind wouldn't blow in his tree home. What he also did was he gathered a lot of food so that he would have enough food throughout the winter. He made a "fridge" sort of thing so he can store all the fish he got.

   


     Another problem he faced was people hiking and camping in the woods. Many people came in the mountains and if they found Sam their they would call the police to take him back home. He didn't want to do that at all, so he would hide in his tree home when he heard people. Sometimes he wasn't close to his home so he was seen. He just made up lies so the people wouldn't call the police. He did meet this one guy that saw he had made a home in the mountains but they became friends and he visited him a lot.

SUMMER READING - Blog One

My Side of the Mountain
By Jean Craighead George
Prompt(s) -
* Tell me about the main character. What kind of person is he/she?
* Is the setting described well? If so, then describe the setting.
Page: 0 - 90

   The main character is Sam Gribley. He is a teenage boy that leaves his home to live in the forest. He values his privacy and independence since he grew up in a family of eleven in a New York City apartment. When he arrives in the woods he realizes quick that he has to learn a lot in the woods. He is resilient, determined and intelligent. The longer he lives alone in the woods, the more he learns and the more content he is with his isolation on the mountain, living in the natural world. He is also is very friendly even though he is alone in the woods most of the time. He meets several people and greats them in the mountains and overall is a great host.

     I think the setting is well described. The author basically paints a picture in my mind. I can see everything he is describing. This book takes place in the 1950s in the Catskill Mountains of Eastern New York. Sam looks for his great grandfathers farm which is surrounded by mountains, giant trees, meadows, and lots of rivers. He makes his home inside of a tree near a small area of water. The forest he is alone, except for the animals like deer, raccoon, his falcon, weasels, skunks, fish, and many birds.

   

      His home is basically a remote place. The nearest town is several miles away, Delhi. The mountains are not filled with hikers. The summer and spring many hikers, hunters, and campers come in the Catskill Mountains. His tree home is built perfectly and he makes sure it is good enough during the winter. He has a bed, fireplace, and a place for his bird to stay in his home. He makes his door out of deer skin he tanned, smoked, and dried himself.

Paradox Reflections

Paradox Reflection One:

Paradox: "Even in our so-called virtues we are intemperate: a teetotaler is not content not to drink-he must stop all the drinking in the world; a vegetarian among us would outlaw the eating of meat."

Reflection: 
     This paradox in "Paradox and Dream" by John Steinbeck states that we believe only what we think. Other people's ideas are wrong and we only listen to our opinions. Like how it states the vegetarian would outlaw meat, but a lot of other people like meat, just because they don't like it doesn't mean it should outlawed for everyone. This paradox basically shows selfishness and how us as Americans only think of ourselves.

     I relate to this paradox because I have heard, read, and seen it in the news. Like how Hitler killed all the Jewish people because he didn't believe they were actually people and their way of life was wrong. Also how ISIS is killing Christians and other innocent people that don't believe in ISIS's beliefs. Many people just believe in what they think, which is a horrible way to live.

Paradox Reflection Two:

Paradox: "We spend our time searching for security, and hate it when we get it."

Reflection: 
     This paradox in "Paradox and Dream" by John Steinbeck states that all our lives humans are looking for something great and then when they get it they absolutely hate it so much, which is very confusing but true. Like if you get a promotion at your firm you are satisfied you made it there, but then you have to work more hours and you are barely home with your family. This happens to many people who strive for what they want and are disappointed.

     I relate to this paradox because it is happening to my mom right now. She got this promotion from being a teacher to a literacy coach at her school. She has to stay later hours and do a lot of more work because from what I hear is her boss makes her do his work. She is glad she got this opportunity but also hates it because of the hours she had to work. I don't know why but she is now going to school to become a principle, which must be way more stressful.

FINAL REFLECTION BLOG

Prompt: via Mrs. Larson's Blog

     One very important thing I learned this year from Mrs. Larson is time management. You can't hold off all your work the last minute, I learned that the hard way. It just comes to show that it isn't responsible at all. Getting all your work done on a Thursday night kind of sucks. I like spreading out over the week like I have learned in this class, it just makes more sense that way. This is a skill needed throughout your life.

     Another very important thing I learned this year from Mrs. Larson is how to stay focused and on task. Honestly, I still do need a little more work on this, but I know for a fact I have improved since I was a the first day of 7th grade. If you aren't on task you are wasting time, or how Mrs. Larson likes to say it, "Come on people. You are wasting precious moments of your lives. Stay focused." :)

     A final important thing I learned this year from Mrs. Larson was how to make an objective summary. I thought at first an objective summary included quotes. I know now that that is what a regular summary needs. An objective summary is supposed to focus on the central idea of a text, but restate it in your own words, no textual evidence. Only the important details, not minor ones. I now know that, I am glad I do.

     Something we did this year that I will remember for the rest of my life is how to create a Works Cited list, and the citations in MLA format. It is a very important life skill people need to have in any job, and even when we are in high school and college. When we are writing essays we need to state our sources. Instead of just copy and pasting the link we need to give full credit to the people that helped us with our essay. I think creating a Works Cited list is very important to remember throughout your life as a student and as a worker.

     The nicest thing someone has done for me in this class was whenever there was a vocabulary test Siari would study with me. She didn't mind at all and I actually did better because she would give me tips or advice.

     Something I taught my teacher was that even the most obnoxious and talkative students (me) can make progress and actually do what is expected. I can stay on task, or at least try to when told to. I get all of my work done on time and most meets or exceeds standards.

    The area I feel I had made the biggest improvements on was as simple as comprehending what I was reading. I understood what I was reading and could answer questions and tell a summary. I wasn't there reading and having no idea what I was reading.

     Something I accomplished this year was reading more than 20 books. That was my goal, and I read 28 books in total this year. I think is is my best year and it doesn't even end until July. I hope that at the end I would have read 35 books, that's my goal. The most challenging part this year for me getting all my homework done and study for vocabulary. On regular weeks we have an AoW, Blog, any other extra homework assigned based on the lesson we are doing, and Vocabulary. I have so far turned in all my work on time and completed the homework needed.

     The best piece of writing I have done this year was my Argumentative Essay to the Governor. I put every reason and statement about why I am for Death with Dignity. I clearly backed it up with evidence and interpretation. Even had all my sources in my Works Cited list in MLA format. It was by far the best essay I wrote that year, and probably any other year considering that I have more knowledge now that I did when I was 8, 10, and 12 years old.

     Of the books I read this year my favorite was The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. It really just showed problems that regular people face very clearly. I especially liked how the main character, Charlie, wrote to a person (he did not know personally) who listened to what he had to say. That was the format throughout the whole book, him writing a letter to someone he had no idea about. It really gave a different approach then if it was from different perspective. I just enjoyed it so much and recommend it also.

     Advice I would give to students who will be in this class next year is two things: 1. Time management is very important if you don't want to fail this class. Like I said in the first paragraph you would have to do all your work on Thursday night and trust me it really sucks. 2. Think outside the box. You were put in this class for a reason, don't be basic and just think of meeting the standards. Go over what you are expected to do, and be successful.